THE BEST NETWORKING QUESTION

Do you enjoy making friends…but cringe at the thought of networking?

We’re all low key unmoved and tired of the “So what do you do?” question - as if we’re at a 1920s car salesman and bankers convention.

And even though most of us haven’t been to a conference since COVID hit, we still want to keep our networking skills on point. *begins to sob thinking about the Essence Fest, South By Southwest & Beauty CON cancelled…but don’t worry – my Lovestyle Fine Dining Tour & Pop Up is going to be LIT in 2021 – *gets excited and starts shopping for outfits online* hehe.

During my amazing “Lovestyle & Convos” chat with Keisha Mabry - Ted Talk motivational speaker, author and “Friendship Expert” – we discussed “How To Win Friends & Influence People…Even If You’re An Introvert.” Keisha was an extreme introvert that broke out of her “adulting” shell and went on a self-discovering journey of level up connection – meeting 100 people in 100 days.

During this life changing experience that broke her out of her networking shell in becoming even more of a social butterfly – what did Keisha discover to be the BEST QUESTION TO SPARK A MEANINGFUL CONVO AT A NETWORKING EVENT?

“WHAT IS YOUR STORY?”

Keisha found this to be the ultimate conversational icebreaker to engaging in 20 minute convos that can lead to amazing insights, lasting connections and friendships.

So what is an introvert or extrovert? Contrary to popular belief, our personalities are so unique that these terms introduced by the Myers-Briggs Personality Test, was more so terms used within this personality assessment to describe not how shy or outgoing a person is, but more so how a person’s gets their energy.

To take the Myers-Briggs Personality test and discover which one of the 16 personality types you most align with to attain energy, click here:

https://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-personality-test-new

Research shows from this popular personality test that 70% of people are on a spectrum, being somewhat of a blend of introvert and extrovert for different types of situations. There’s no pros and cons to 1 or the other.

So what’s the purpose in understanding your personality type when networking?

TO DETERMINE HOW YOU CAN CONNECT IN YOUR MOST AUTHENTIC WAY.

Keisha’s brilliant ABC Networking Method:

1.    (A)lways Be Yourself: Engage in ways that are most meaningful to you. Be unapologetic in moving how you move

2.    (B)e Comfortable: Find the right spaces to connect that allow you to be most comfy and authentic. If large spaces aren’t your thing, do more intimate 1-on-1 convos.

3.    (C )onnect By Adding Value: Find ways to connect by creating value within an area that a person can grow, learn or be inspired by. If you discover a person is trying to learn something new, and you’re an expert or thought leader in that subject, that’s a perfect way to authentically connect in a meaningful way.

Here’s Keisha breaking this all down during our chat.

So when COVID goes away and we can all get back to living our best networking lives…make sure you try out these winning success tips to making the best connections by being your most authentic self – and connecting through a person’s own story.

Heck, next time you’re out in a social circle while social distancing…try it out there too!